George Zimmerman Asks to Delay Trial for Trayvon Martin Shooting

George Zimmerman Asks to Delay Trial for Trayvon Martin Shooting

George Zimmerman's lawyers believe that prosecutors are holding back on evidence needed to prepare him for the trial in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Published January 31, 2013

George Zimmerman's defense asked that his second-degree murder trial for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin be moved from June to November. On Wednesday, they requested more time to work on his case because they believe prosecutors have been slow in turning over evidence.

Zimmerman's lead attorney Mark O'Mara said someone from Florida's State Attorney's office "had removed Martin's cellphone from an evidence locker to have it sent to California for analysis, but the state has refused to give him any information about the agency and the type of tests being run on the phone," reports the Associated Press.

He also said he was having challenges in getting answers to administrative questions from a chief investigative agent, and that prosecutors "had refused to forward them over information on Martin and a witness."

O'Mara also asked the public for donations for Zimmerman's defense fund to help pay for legal fees, which he projects will be almost $1 million. Zimmerman has raised more than $314,000 since being charged.

Zimmerman insists that he shot Martin in self-defense. Martin’s parents and their lawyer have contended that the teenager was racially profiled.

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